Plymouth rugby star Tuima set for Six Nations debut against Wales at the Stoop

PLYMOUTH’S Lagi Tuima could earn her third international cap on Saturday when England host Wales at the Stoop in the Women’s Six Nations.

The former Devonport Services under-18s player has recovered from injury to be named on the bench for the second match of this year’s campaign.

Tuima, who now plays for Bristol in the Premier XV League after joining them from Plymouth Albion, missed last week’s win in Italy due to an ankle injury.

She had previously earned two caps against Canada in the autumn, having been promoted from the under-20 team.

England head coach Simon Middleton said ahead of Saturday’s match: “We are expecting a physical encounter against Wales. They play an aggressive brand of defence so there will be a lot of pressure on us when we have the ball.

“They also have a strong and well organised set piece, which we saw last week when they played Scotland, this will be a key area of the game.

“As a squad we are really looking forward to returning to the Stoop on Saturday and playing our first home game of the tournament.”

Saturday’s game starts at 12.15pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix.

Meanwhile, former Plymouth Albion player Sam Simmonds will earn his third start and fifth cap when England’s men play Wales at Twickenham on Saturday evening (4.45pm).

Simmonds will again start at number eight after scoring two tries on his Six Nations debut last weekend against Italy.

Another former Plymouth Albion dual-registered player, Jack Nowell, will start on the bench.